I think most people agree that some variation of that should be the backline.... but the game was lost in the forwards. That's where some changes are really needed. Part of the blame for the loss has to rest with Kevvie.

I guess we'll see how much of an influence Thurston has if he returns for game 2.

Fast flowing game suited the Blues,The ref put his whistle away,let plenty go both ways,a few high shots and a few forward passes. QLD very seldom get beaten in a arm wrestle so the Blues played a very up tempo game. Full marks to the blues forwards,they won the battle early in the game

No, Stryker. Been waiting 75,000 years. NSW were better across the park. Game 2 won't be so easy.

yep man for man they were better. I thought Papali was close to the best forward on the park in the first 15-20 minutes and Oates did well considering he was targeted and was lucky to have been selected in the first place but most others were outplayed.

Woods, Pearce and Duges were weak for the blues.

The team lacked a good kicker in play - to lob a bouncing ball over the sideline near the goal line, good well-weighted cross-angled grubbers close to the line etc.

Malcolm Knox: What has happened this week is a pity for the Tigers, a pity for Jason Taylor and a pity for Robbie Farah, who had achieved more than the Big Four put together but was somehow turned into collateral damage. (SMH 25-26 March, 2017)

I think most people agree that some variation of that should be the backline.... but the game was lost in the forwards. That's where some changes are really needed. Part of the blame for the loss has to rest with Kevvie.

I guess we'll see how much of an influence Thurston has if he returns for game 2.

If Thurston is available, I would drop Cronk and play Morgan in the halves.

I think most people agree that some variation of that should be the backline.... but the game was lost in the forwards. That's where some changes are really needed. Part of the blame for the loss has to rest with Kevvie.

I guess we'll see how much of an influence Thurston has if he returns for game 2.

If Thurston is available, I would drop Cronk and play Morgan in the halves.

Drop Cronk for Morgan? As a NSW supporter I think this is the best idea I have ever heard.

That tackle attempt was a pathetic effort from boyd. Slater has to be the fullback for the rest I the series for his work in defense, and his ability to catch almost everything clearing kick on the full.
Also, NSW win hid the fact that pearce wasn't great once again. There was the attempted Gruber that gagai caught on the full, the attempted grubber that went no where, and a number of bombs that didn't put Oates under much pressure (though the poor chase was also to blame).
Anyway, I'm actually a fan of pearce so hoping he plays better in games II and III

That tackle attempt was a pathetic effort from boyd. Slater has to be the fullback for the rest I the series for his work in defense, and his ability to catch almost everything clearing kick on the full.
Also, NSW win hid the fact that pearce wasn't great once again. There was the attempted Gruber that gagai caught on the full, the attempted grubber that went no where, and a number of bombs that didn't put Oates under much pressure (though the poor chase was also to blame).
Anyway, I'm actually a fan of pearce so hoping he plays better in games II and III

Peace is so good at club level, but he just ain't the same player when he trots out for Origin. It's like he totally forgets how to take control of the team! Ennis was the same - brilliant for his team, totally lost in Origin. Thank God for Maloney because he virtually covered both halves roles last night.

That tackle attempt was a pathetic effort from boyd. Slater has to be the fullback for the rest I the series for his work in defense, and his ability to catch almost everything clearing kick on the full.
Also, NSW win hid the fact that pearce wasn't great once again. There was the attempted Gruber that gagai caught on the full, the attempted grubber that went no where, and a number of bombs that didn't put Oates under much pressure (though the poor chase was also to blame).
Anyway, I'm actually a fan of pearce so hoping he plays better in games II and III

Peace is so good at club level, but he just ain't the same player when he trots out for Origin. It's like he totally forgets how to take control of the team! Ennis was the same - brilliant for his team, totally lost in Origin. Thank God for Maloney because he virtually covered both halves roles last night.

Yeah pearce looks very flustered out there, whereas he looks quite composed playing for the roosters, even in high pressure games (eg finals).
It's a shame that Farah's best years were when Ennis was in the origin team. When Farah finally made his way back into the team, he basically just tackled his heart out, and his attack became less effective. Dropping him for Peats proved to be a great call from Daley

I thought Pearce was okay before he went off. Was involved in the first try and scored the second. He had few poor kicks but ultimately was pretty good before he went off. Easily his best game at this level, and I think it's no coincidence that it happened when a select few who would over involve themselves were no longer there (Bird, Gallen and Farah). Also, the NSW pack completely dominated which gave him a good platform.

While there were some standouts all performed well. Great team effort and completely out played the oppostion which is rare occurance for NSW in SOO in recent times. Barring injury cant see any changes for game 2

I thought Pearce was okay before he went off. Was involved in the first try and scored the second. He had few poor kicks but ultimately was pretty good before he went off. Easily his best game at this level, and I think it's no coincidence that it happened when a select few who would over involve themselves were no longer there (Bird, Gallen and Farah). Also, the NSW pack completely dominated which gave him a good platform.

Almost verbatim Phil Gould. Did you cut and paste or do you just have a good memory? Bird, Gallen and Farah busted their arses for years with sub standard squads mostly led by your mate Mitchell. The amount of crap these guys cop shows what mongrels Gould and the NSW hierarchy are. They are blaming the wrong players. You put those three guys in their prime in a side like last night and they win regularly.
Pearce was garbage. A good halfback would have had a three try lead at half time. He just can not manage a game at this level. Even with a dominant pack he did very little. QLD should have been pinned in their own 20 for large sections of that game. His kicking is the reason they were not.

I thought Pearce was okay before he went off. Was involved in the first try and scored the second. He had few poor kicks but ultimately was pretty good before he went off. Easily his best game at this level, and I think it's no coincidence that it happened when a select few who would over involve themselves were no longer there (Bird, Gallen and Farah). Also, the NSW pack completely dominated which gave him a good platform.

Almost verbatim Phil Gould. Did you cut and paste or do you just have a good memory? Bird, Gallen and Farah busted their arses for years with sub standard squads mostly led by your mate Mitchell. The amount of crap these guys cop shows what mongrels Gould and the NSW hierarchy are. They are blaming the wrong players. You put those three guys in their prime in a side like last night and they win regularly.
Pearce was garbage. A good halfback would have had a three try lead at half time. He just can not manage a game at this level. Even with a dominant pack he did very little. QLD should have been pinned in their own 20 for large sections of that game. His kicking is the reason they were not.

You sure have a lot to say about what NSW should have done and should do for a Queenslander.

I would suggest you worry about your own team and the problems they have at the moment. Lol

I thought Pearce was okay before he went off. Was involved in the first try and scored the second. He had few poor kicks but ultimately was pretty good before he went off. Easily his best game at this level, and I think it's no coincidence that it happened when a select few who would over involve themselves were no longer there (Bird, Gallen and Farah). Also, the NSW pack completely dominated which gave him a good platform.

Almost verbatim Phil Gould. Did you cut and paste or do you just have a good memory? Bird, Gallen and Farah busted their arses for years with sub standard squads mostly led by your mate Mitchell. The amount of crap these guys cop shows what mongrels Gould and the NSW hierarchy are. They are blaming the wrong players. You put those three guys in their prime in a side like last night and they win regularly.
Pearce was garbage. A good halfback would have had a three try lead at half time. He just can not manage a game at this level. Even with a dominant pack he did very little. QLD should have been pinned in their own 20 for large sections of that game. His kicking is the reason they were not.

What's wrong with echoing Phil Gould? Even people who hate him (e.g. Phil Rothfield) agree that he was a great coach and man manager, especially at SOO level. Can you claim every idea or thought you have as original and exclusive to you?

I thought Pearce was okay before he went off. Was involved in the first try and scored the second. He had few poor kicks but ultimately was pretty good before he went off. Easily his best game at this level, and I think it's no coincidence that it happened when a select few who would over involve themselves were no longer there (Bird, Gallen and Farah). Also, the NSW pack completely dominated which gave him a good platform.

Almost verbatim Phil Gould. Did you cut and paste or do you just have a good memory? Bird, Gallen and Farah busted their arses for years with sub standard squads mostly led by your mate Mitchell. The amount of crap these guys cop shows what mongrels Gould and the NSW hierarchy are. They are blaming the wrong players. You put those three guys in their prime in a side like last night and they win regularly.
Pearce was garbage. A good halfback would have had a three try lead at half time. He just can not manage a game at this level. Even with a dominant pack he did very little. QLD should have been pinned in their own 20 for large sections of that game. His kicking is the reason they were not.

What's wrong with echoing Phil Gould? Even people who hate him (e.g. Phil Rothfield) agree that he was a great coach and man manager, especially at SOO level. Can you claim every idea or thought you have as original and exclusive to you?

As for Pearce, he did just fine. Much better than his opposite.

Gould is a chicken poo of a coach at origin level who only took jobs when the team was stacked. Never saw him put his hand up during QLD's dominant run...he'll probably make a comeback now NSW has a good team again.
Cooper outplayed Pearce.